Pitchfork



Modem A. COX.

PITCH FORK. No 250,039. Patented Nov 22,1881...

UivrTnn STATES ATENT Trice.

AROHIBALD COX, F GOXVILLE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO L. O. LATHAM AND HARRY SKINNER, OF GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

PITCHFORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,039, dated November 22, 1881.

Application filed October 5, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AROHIBALD 00X, of Coxville, in the county of Pitt and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pitchforks; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and useit, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in forks; and it consists in the combination of a fork having two or more grooves made in the [5 center of its head, with a suitable handle having a journal or hearing formed in its lower end for the fork to turn in, and a key for looking the fork in the desired position, the key being provided with a flange which acts as a stop at each of its ends, and which is made wider at one part than the other, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to pivot the fork in the end of the handle, so that the tines will stand in a line with the handle or can be turned at an angle thereto, so as to be used like a rake, and thus adapt the fork for different uses.

Figure lis a side elevation of my invention,

0 showing the tines in a line with the handle. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same, showing the flange turned at right angles. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the locking-pin. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the grooved portion of the fork- 5 head.

A represents an ordinary four-timed fork, and B the handle. To the lower end of this handle is secured the iron block G, which forms a part of the bearing in which the fork-head turns; and passed around this end of the handle, themetallic block and the rake-head, is the metallic strap D, which not only secures the fork to the handle, but forms the other part of the box in which the fork turns. The

5 center of the head of the fork is enlarged and made perfectly round, and in this round part are formed two or more grooves, F. In the lower end of the block is formed a corresponding but deeper groove, in which the locking (Model) pin G fits. This fork-head is intended to be used in two positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and.

2, and when adjusted to either position it is securely locked in place by means of the pin G. This pin is provided with a flange, O, at each end, so as to act as a stop to prevent the pin from being removed from the handle, and -the pin is made wider at one end than at the other. When this pin is drawn out from the block, so that only the narrow portion is held in the slot that is made in the block, the pin does not engage at all with the slot that is made in the head of the fork, and hence the fork can he turned freely around; but when the pin is forced inward, so that its widest portion enters the groove in the block, then the pin catches in the groove both in the head and in the block and locks the fork-head rigidly in position. This pin, having the flanges on each end, must, of course, be inserted in the groove in the block before the strap and the fork are secured in position. By forming the flanges on both ends of the pin, the pin cannot become displaced and lost, and hence is always ready for use.

When the fork is to be used for pitching manure, hay, straw, and other such articles, the pin is first drawn out, so that only the narrow portion remains in the groove in the block, and then the tines are moved so as to be in a line with the handle; but when it is desired to use the fork like a rake, as shown in Fig. 2, the tines are turned at an angle to the handle, and then held in that position, as shown. The fork is thus adapted to do the work of two different tools, and at but a very slight additional cost over the forks as now made.

I am aware that it is not new to have the fork turn in the end of the handle, so as to be used in two different positions, and that it is 0 not new to fasten the fork in either position by means of a wedge or a catch, and this I disclaim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 5 1. The combination of the handle, having a block secured toits lower end, the grooved forkhead, the key, made wider at one part than the other, and provided with a flange, and a strap In testimony whereof I aflix my signature which secures the parts together, substantially in presence of two witnesses. as shown and described.

2. The locking-pin, made wider at one part AROHIBALD COX. than the other, and provided with a stop at each of its ends, so as to prevent it from be- W'itnesses: ing moved out of position, substantially as set HARRY SKINNER,

forth. W. L. MooRINGs. 

